21 May, 2011

Porter...
The most popular beer question of all time; porter Vs. Stout... What exactly sets them apart?.Porter still remains the one style of beer that; when researched; all dates and origins differ. Is it Irish; British or German?; Was the style created pre 1700's or somewhere between 1735 and 1739. I can't answer any of them with confidence. Most accounts of British Brewing in the 1700's say that Porter was a ready made blend of 3 different styles previously available - ''ale''; ''beer'' and ''twopenny'' and because it was a combination of all 3; it was known as ''entire'' (I love this)... When doing my research; it became evident that the style 'Porter' evolved due to economic circumstances and not as a result of the romantic elusive myths... I'm going to ignore that though and continue with conjured thought of cobble stoned Dickens streets; shoves of mist and secret beer recipes brewed under cloak.
Alice Porter; named after 'Alice' the Lewis character; is a traditional Porter with the Brewdog twist. It's a 6.2% dark porter.
The nose is complex and really unusual. I get medicinal elements; like a tonic with eucalyptus; orange and malt. The palate displays malt; coffee and quinine with a really nice balanced sweetness to counteract the oiliness and acidity of the quinine flavours.
It's a tough one to match with food because although the flavours I'm describing are quite brash; it has this elegant lightness. I reckon this is a beer for game meat. If you're out hunting pheasants in your tweed over the weekend; stop by for a couple of bottles... Far more economical that a 1st growth Bordeaux.
Good job lads; again.
Another great Brewdog varietal to add to your list.
Ruthxx.

The lack of posting is purely Festival related; new beers are in abundance; time on the other hand is not.The Mac's range arrived in a week ago - Hop Rocker; Great White; Black Mac and Isaac's Cider along with a fridge full of new gear... I'm sorry for neglecting to inform you all.

Mac's Great White was our Thursday choice.
I've always been an advocate of New Zealand beers. I spent a financially challenged week in a grim hostel in Auckland about 8 years ago. The purpose of my stay was purely Visa related; unfortunately. My bank balance didn't stretch any further than the local bottle shop and an unhealthy obsession with the 'Pokies'; which resulted in a loss far greater than a weeks spend; travelling around the North Island.
I lived on spreadable cheese sandwiches and Speights; Steinlager and Mac's original. The beers were great; the cheez; not so...

This is a beer for the Hoegaarden/ St.Bernardus/ White Hawk lover.
It pours like a cloudy apple juice; lemon coloured white beer.
The nose is really fresh; Jif lemon; Yankee Candle Clean cotton aromas with Vanilla.
The carbonation is lively; far more prominent than any of the beers mentioned as similar. It tastes like a vailla milkshake. Creamy with lemon and citrus flavours. Although the mouthfeel is fat; the flavours are not heavy; it's definitely a beer that you could drink a 6 pack of; easily.
It's a 5% summer salad beer or try it with meaty fish on the barbecue.
Good to see you again Mac's; I'm pretty happy it's under more favourable living conditions though.
Ruthxx